1969 Château La Mission Haut-Brion
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Tasting notes
The 1969 La Mission Haut-Brion, sadly, does not overcome its appalling growing season. The nose reminds me of walking into a stuffy antique shop on a warm summer day, and the tannins are harsh and the finish searingly dry. A curiosity only.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Full, quite rich relative to some of the early 1970s vintages on the nose. Very dry and sour. (JR)
A dull, hard, almost neutral bouquet reminded me of some of our modern-day California Cabernets that are sterile filtered. On the palate, the wine is hollow with hard, rough, coarse tannins that have obliterated what fruit may have once been present. While 1963 and 1968 were certainly much worse years for most chateaux, I continue to believe that 1969 may have turned out Bordeaux's least attractive wines in the last 30 years. Last tasted, 1/89.
About the producer
Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion – sister estate of Ch. Haut-Brion and part of the Clarence Dillon stable – is one of the greatest estates in all of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac-Léognan but not officially classified, it produces outstanding red and white wines.